Anyone reading this week’s edition of the Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) will have noted a major progression in relevant reporting.

Obviously for me, and my readers, my inclusion was notable. For years, i’ve been deliberately removed from several local media. I’ve cried “foul” and done my best to grow my own media so that the biggest issues, whether i’m agreed with or not, are discussed and kept relevant. Although the KPH’s printed version of their interview with me was a personal view, much else was discussed so i’m hoping that matters much bigger than me are later given a platform too.

My inclusion doesn’t make me biased i.e. the change in the delivery of news by the KPH was marked. The front page never carried the most sensational topic but rather the most relevant to the week. It concerned the march by Knysna’s forest dwellers on the Knysna Municipality. They were protesting shocking living conditions that seem to translate into big business and local government versus the poor and almost defenceless. An awesome photo accompanied the article.

Below that was a message (cleverly and practically in Xhosa, Afrikaans and English) from Ingrid Erlank, the new editor of the Knysna-Plett Herald who is surely one of the reasons for these positive changes.

“I want to re-affirm our commitment to the Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield we love and the presentation of news that favours truth about the issues most important to you. Of course, there will also be fun and entertainment. We are starting off with a few new additions to your paper.”

Others issues included the ISDF tender problem, the altercation between a Hornlee resident and security guards at Woodmill Lane, the forthcoming Bitou by-election, many charitable articles etc.

Well done to KPH and Group Editors, their owners – i hope that there’s more of this!

I had to smile when i saw that my interview had been placed alongside Greg Vogt’s. The KPH may not have printed it but “Versus” was likely their intention in between. Sneeky:)